IOSR Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IOSR-JEEE)

e-ISSN: 2278-1676,p-ISSN: 2320-3331, Volume 8, Issue 3 (Nov. - Dec. 2013), PP 14-19

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Power loss due to Corona on High Voltage Transmission Lines

Enesi Asizehi Yahaya1, Tsado Jacob2, Mark Nwohu3, Ahmed Abubakar4.

1
Departmt of Electrica and Electronics Engineering. Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna,
Nigeria

Abstract: The effect of corona on high-voltage transmission lines is one of the causes power loss and this is
uneconomical and undesirable. The study of corona and factors responsible for the loss is investigated through
sample calculation based on Peeks formula and the results are then simulated through matlab program. This
paper presents the relations between power loss due to corona to corona parameters through matlab programs
and suggests some possible steps taken to minimize corona loss.
Keywords: Corona, power loss, peeks formula, high voltage transmission lines, Peeks formula.

I. INTRODUCTION
When in an insulation system, the voltage gradient (voltage stress) exceeds a critical voltage, the air
molecules surrounding the high voltage transmission line conductors become ionized (transient gaseous
ionization) resulting in partial discharges. Corona loss occurs if the line to line voltage exceeds the corona
threshold. The conductive region is not high enough to cause electrical breakdown or arcing to any nearby
objects [1]. Corona can occur within voids of an insulator, at the conductor or at the insulator interface. Rough
surfaces are more liable to corona because the unevenness of the surface decreases the value of the breakdown
voltage. It can be detected due to its visible light in form of purple glow consisting of micro arcs and its sound
can be heard through its hissing and cracking sound [2]. The smelling of the presence of ozone production is
noticed during corona activity [3]. The effects of corona are cumulative and permanent and the failure can occur
without warning. In insulation system, corona discharges result in voltage transients. The effects of corona
associated with the operation of high voltage transmission lines include radio interference, audible noise,
gaseous effluents (Ozone and Nitrogen oxide) and shock potential. Conductor voltage, diameter and shape,
dusts, water drops, and surface irregularities such as scratches are factors that affect the performance and
conductors electrical surface gradients. The energy loss due to corona is transformed into sound, radio noise,
chemical reactions of the air components and heat [4]. Corona reduces the reliability of insulation system
thereby degrading insulation and causes system failure due to dielectric breakdown. The study becomes
necessary because of the prevailing negative effect of corona parameters on the power loss of high voltage
transmission lines. The power loss under fair weather conditions and under stormy weather conditions when
investigated, analyzed and simulated using matlab programs gives the results which help us to take necessary
measures to minimize the power loss under fair and stormy weather conditions. High quality insulated and good
service design underground high transmission cables can help to eliminate the loss due corona effect The
advantage of corona is that the sound generated during corona activity can be used to build high accuracy audio
speakers and also it has no mass to be moved to create the sound so that transient response is improved. The
controlled corona discharge can be used for filtrations and printing.

II. Power Loss

According to Peeks formulas [5], the power loss due to corona under fair weather conditions
can be expressed as:
K R VL
Pufwc ( f 25) ( E dcv ) 2 L 10 5 KW / km / phase (1)
d 3
The normalized air density correction factor, is 1 at 25 0C at 76 cm pressure. Table 1 shows the sample of
corona loss calculation based on peeks formula

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 Power loss due to Corona on High Voltage Transmission Lines

Under the stormy weather conditions, the disruptive critical voltage (E dcv) is taken as 0.8 times that of the fair
weather value. Where the ratio of the phase voltage to the disruptive critical voltage is less than 1.8, Peterson
formula [6] is used for determining the corona loss. This is given as:
21 10 6 fV 2
Ppet (2)
(log 10d / R) 2

Table 1. Sample corona loss calculation based on Peeks formula.

Symbol parameter Sample value
K Fixed constant 243
Dga Disruptive gradient in Air 21.2kv/cm
md Irregularity factor for disruptive critical voltage 0.85
mv Irregularity factor for visual corona inception voltage 0.72
t Temperature of the surroundings 450C
P Atmospheric pressure 750 torr
Air density correction factor: 0.9104
0.386 P

273 t
R Radius of conductor 0.54cm
d Conductor spacing 300cm
f frequency 50Hz
VL Line to line voltage 132
Edcv Disruptive critical voltage: 55.98 kv to Neutral
Dga md R log(d./R)
Evcv Visual inception corona voltage: 67.72 kv to Neutral
Dga mv R log(d./R)(1+0.3./sqrt( R))
L Length of the conductor 100km
Pufwc Corona loss under fair weather conditions 347.37 kw/phase
Puswc Corona loss under stormy weather conditions 838.53kw/phase

III. Effects Of Corona Parameters On Power Loss Due To Corona

3.1 Atmospheric conditions like pressure and temperature
Corona loss is a function of Air density correction factor and the higher the value, the less the corona
loss. At low pressure and high temperatures, the value of disruptive critical voltage is small and corona effect
and loss is dominant [7].

3.2 The inception corona voltage and the disruptive critical voltage
The visual inception corona voltage is more than the disruptive critical voltage because its formation
involves ionization and the raising of electron to an excited state. This excitation produces light by discharge
and other electromagnetic waves [8, 9,10]. Figure 1 shows the graphical comparation of the visual and
disruptive corona voltage at various radii of the conductor. The conductor radius is directly proportional to both
visual corona voltage and disruptive critical voltage

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 Power loss due to Corona on High Voltage Transmission Lines

Fig. 1: corona voltage at different value of conductor radius

3.3 Spacing between conductors

Figure 2 shows that under fair weather condition at various spacing between the conductors. Corona
loss is inversely proportional to the spacing between conductors. If the spacing is made to be very large, corona
loss may be absent.

Fig. 2: power loss due to corona loss versus the spacing between conductors

3.4 The supply frequency

Figure 3 shows that the higher the supply frequency, the higher the corona loss. The d.c. corona loss is
less than that of a.c corona loss. The effect of corona on a.c. lines generates third harmonic components that
increase the corona loss.

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 Power loss due to Corona on High Voltage Transmission Lines

Fig. 3: power loss versus frequency

3.5 Size of conductor

Equation 1 shows that corona loss is directly proportional to the square root of the size of conductor.
Figure 4 shows that any increase in conductor diameter leads to corresponding increase in corona loss.

Fig.4: power loss versus size of the conductor

3.6 Line voltage

Corona starts for voltages higher than the disruptive critical voltage. The disruptive critical voltage in
figure 5 is 55.98kv to Neutral (Line to line voltage-96.96kv). The higher the supply voltage the larger the corona
loss

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 Power loss due to Corona on High Voltage Transmission Lines

Fig. 5: corona loss versus the line voltage

IV. Stormy And Fair Weather Conditions

In stormy or bad atmospheric weather conditions like snows, rains and hailstorm reduce disruptive
critical voltage and increases the corona effects. Figure 6 shows the graph of corona loss at both the stormy and
the fair weather conditions at different values of disruptive critical voltages. The results show that the lower the
value of disruptive critical voltage, the higher the power loss due to corona.

Fig. 6: power loss under stormy and fair weather conditions

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 Power loss due to Corona on High Voltage Transmission Lines

V. Means Of Reducing Power Loss Due To Corona

The use of bundle conductors reduce corona loss
Spacing between conductors is selected so that corona is tolerable
Since the shape of conductors affect corona loss, cylindrical shape conductors have uniform field that
reduces corona loss than any other shape
The voltage stress and electric field gradient should be minimized which can be accomplished by using
good high voltage design practices. Using conductors with large radii reduce corona loss
Void free solid conductors and insulators should be used
Corona formation can be suppressed, if the terminals on high voltage equipment are designed with smooth
round diameter rounded shapes like balls and the addition of corona rings to insulators of high voltage
transmission lines

VI. Conclusion
Using matlab program for the sample analysis, it is found that in wet conditions, the value of corona
loss is more than that of the dry season. Underground cables with good insulation design can prevent power loss
since this will not be much affected by changing in weather conditions.

References
[1] Wadwah C. L Electric Power System, chennai New Age International Publisher Ltd. 2006
[2] Mehta V. K, Mehta R, Principles of Power System, S. Chand, New Delhi, 2004.
[3] Gupta B. R, Power system analysis and design, S. Chand, New Delhi, 2007.
[4] Curt Harting (2010). AC Transmission Line Losses.htm
[5] Gupta J. B. A course in power system. New Delhi, 2008
[6] Anumaka (2012). Nigerian 330kv Interconnected Power Systelm
[7] International conference on Large High Voltage Electric System, Interference Produced by Corona Effect on Electric Systems,
Paris. 1974.
[8] Leonard Loeb(1965). Electrical Coronas. Their Basic Physical Mechanisms. University of California Press M. Bowles, State
Electricity Profiles 2008, US Energy Information Administration, DOE/EIA0348(01).2010.
[9] Hayt. W and Buck, Engineering Electromagnetics (Mcgraw-Hill,2006). PP346, 486
[10] Instruction Manual 661. Partial Discharge (Corona) Testing Equipment Biddle instruments, James G. Biddle Co. Plymouth
Meeting, Peninsylvania 19462

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